A mediaevalist trying to be a philosopher and a philosopher trying to be a mediaevalist write about theology, philosophy, scholarship, books, the middle ages, and especially the life, times, and thought of the Doctor Subtilis, the Blessed John Duns Scotus.

2 comments:

translation? I lose it towards the end. Is it "and it has much of the moment [?], scattering immediately the taste of the best things from young minds"

I think you're probably passing me up in latin, as all i read is 14th s. stuff. Peter Auriol also uses the word "nihilitates". Peter Thomae is turning out to be more learned; he quoted from Seneca's 46th epistle, as well as the "Thymeo"

As for the translation, I believe the last clause is something like "and, what is more important, it straightaway corrupts the taste for the best things in young and tender minds." In other words, typical humanist concern for style over substance: watch out, Scotus will corrupt your latinity!